Axially driven wand for a window blind

ABSTRACT

A blind control for a window covering having a narrow profile; and particularly relates to a control module for a window shade where the location of the drive mechanism is selected to minimize the gap between the end of the window shade and inside edge of a window opening; locating the drive mechanism in a shell disposed in a housing to rigidify a reduced thickness of the drive so as to minimize the gap; and use a single rod depending from the control module to activate the drive mechanism in a safe and secure manner. 
     The invention also includes a housing with an end wall adjacent one end of the shade; a clutch projecting from said end wall and rotatable about a clutch axis, a drive gear engageable at one end of the clutch for rotatably driving said clutch and shade, said drive gear disposed in said housing adjacent said end wall; and a wand for driving said drive gear. 
     The invention provides for a wand to raise and lower the window shade.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/283,082filed on Feb. 22, 2019 which is a Continuation of 62/634,541 filed onFeb. 23, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a blind control for a window covering having anarrow profile; and particularly relates to a control module for awindow shade where the location of the drive mechanism is selected tominimize the gap between the end of the window shade and window opening;locating the drive mechanism in a shell disposed in a housing torigidify a reduced thickness of the drive so as to minimize the gapbetween the end of the window shade and the inside edge of the windowopening; and use a single rod depending from the control module toactivate the drive mechanism in a safe and secure manner.

The invention also includes a housing with a control end wall adjacentone end of the shade roll; a clutch projecting from said control endwall and rotatable about a clutch axis, a drive gear engageable at oneend of the clutch for rotatably driving said clutch and shade roll, saiddrive gear disposed in said housing adjacent said control end wall; anda wand for driving said drive gear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blinds for building openings, eg windows, doors and the like, may beoperated either simply down and up, in the case of eg. roller blinds, orin the case of eg. vertical shade panels, the vertical shade panels maybe rotated open or closed.

The control elements for these blind operations are usually in the formof an endless cord or chain. The control element simply hangs down alongone side of the building opening, in an endless loop.

Other forms of blinds and window coverings may also be operated by meansof an endless control element hanging in a loop.

Generally speaking clutch mechanisms have been used in the windowcovering industry to inhibit the unwanted unrolling of window blinds.These clutch mechanisms have generally been used with sprocket wheelslocated at the end of window blinds so that the gap between the end ofthe blind and window frame is controlled to minimize the amount ofunwanted light infused into a room. Generally speaking the use of spurgears and worm or bevel gears have not been widely used as they tend toincrease the gap between the end of the window shade and window frame.When they have been used, attempts to reduce the thickness of suchdrives tended to produce a drive that flexed and wandered, and theytended to “bind” when used.

Furthermore there is great interest to provide a child safe environmentso that it is desirable to use a single rod to activate the gear drivein a window shade as opposed to using an endless loop which can endangera child.

For example US 2016/0017964 relates to a control module of a windowshade includes a drive axle affixed with a sleeve, an arrester assembledaround the sleeve, a cord drum connected with an operating cord, aclutch operable to couple and decouple the cord drum with respect to thedrive axle, and a release unit including a stick that is operativelyconnected with the arrester. The arrester blocks rotation of the driveaxle in a locking state, and has an unlocking state allowing rotation ofthe drive axle. The operating cord is pulled to drive the cord drum inrotation and turn the clutch to a coupling state, such that the rotationof the cord drum is transmitted through the clutch to drive the driveaxle in rotation for raising the shading structure. Moreover, the stickis operable to switch the arrester from to the unlocking state forlowering the shading structure by gravity action.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,187,951 shows a window shade comprises a head rail, ashading structure, a bottom part, suspension cords connected with cordwinding units, and a control module. The control module includes a driveaxle assembled with the cord winding units, a sleeve affixed with thedrive axle, an arrester assembled around the drive axle, and a releaseunit. The arrester has a locking state in which the arrester blocks arotational displacement of the sleeve and the drive axle to keep thebottom part at a desired position, and an unlocking state in whichrotation of the sleeve and the drive axle is allowed to lower the bottompart by gravity action. The release unit includes an actuator that isoperatively connected with the arrester and has an elongated shape. Theactuator can rotate about its lengthwise axis to turn the arrester fromthe locking to unlocking state.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,592 relates to a bi-directional clutch for operatinga window dressing such as a roller shade includes a protective guard forsecuring the window dressing to a stationary structure, a gear box fortransmitting rotation to an output member in response to the operationof an elongated operating member such as a cord, and an anti-rotationalmember that prevents the undesirable operation of the output member. Theoutput member is coupled to the window dressing. The gear box includes agear pulley coupled to the elongated operating member, a planetary gearand a stationary gear. The gear box is arranged and constructed totransmit motion to the output member in response to the activation ofthe elongated operating member, at a predetermined mechanical advantage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,245 shows a housing for a venetian blind tiltermechanism. The housing comprises a single piece integrally molded bodyhaving apertures in the walls of the body serving as bearing journalsfor a tilter shaft having a worm gear thereon and serving as bearingjournals for a worm wheel in meshing engagement with the worm gear.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,528,318 relates to a window shade that includes a headrail, a bottom part, a shading structure arranged vertically between thehead rail and the bottom rail, a winding unit having a suspension memberconnected with the bottom part, and the actuating system arranged in thehead rail. The winding unit is rotationally coupled with thetransmission axle, wherein the transmission axle rotates in the seconddirection to cause unwinding of the suspension member from the windingunit for lowering the bottom part, and in the first direction to windthe suspension member into the winding unit for raising the bottom part.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,567,802 discusses a covering for an architecturalopening having nested rollers.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,376,859 teaches a tilter assembly is operativelyconnected to the slats for tilting the slats and comprises a wand shaftoperatively connected to a worm gear. A drive gear operatively connectedto a tilt shaft, and at least one idler gear connects the worm gear tothe drive gear. The axis of rotation of the wand shaft is disposed at anangle relative to the plane to space a wand controller from the frontplane. The wand shaft may include a wand connector that is releasablyconnected to the tilter assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,988 shows a window blind opening and closing device.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,292 illustrates A window blind is constructed toinclude a headrail, a blind body suspended below the headrail, a linkingmechanism mounted inside the headrail and having a power input devicefastened pivotally with the headrail and an actuator rotatable with thepower input device and connectable to the blind body, and a drivingcontrol mechanism. The driving control mechanism includes a suspensionrod suspended from the headrail and a controller detachably coupled tothe suspension rod for enabling the suspension rod to be driven by thecontroller to rotate the power input device and to further drive theactuator to move the blind body, causing the blind body to change thewindow shading status.

Also U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,952 relates to an anti-reverse transmission foruse in a window blind includes a fixed axle, a rotatable input shaft, anoutput shaft sleeved onto the fixed axle, a transmission shaft sleevedonto the output shaft and coupled to a linking rod of a window blind,the transmission shaft having a protrusion inserted into an opening inthe output shaft, and a spiral spring fitted on the fixed axle withinthe output shaft. The spiral spring has two end tips suspended in theopening such that the spiral spring is radially expanded to disengagethe output shaft from the fixed axle for rotation with the transmissionshaft and the input shaft upon rotation of the input shaft, and thespiral spring is radially compressed to stop the output shaft fromrotation when the transmission shaft receives a biasing force from thegravity weight of a blind body of the window blind.

Finally Canadian Patent 2353114 shows a method and apparatus foroperating a blind having a chain wheel and wand.

These and other prior art devices and blind controls attempt to blockout the light coming from outside the window particularly when a persondesires to sleep.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved blind controlfor a window covering.

It is another object of this invention to locate the drive mechanism tominimize the gap between the end of the window shade and window frame.

Another object of this invention relates to locating the drive mechanismin a shell or cage disposed in a housing to rigidify a reduced thicknessof the drive so as to minimize the gap.

Yet another object of this invention relates to the use a single roddepending from the control module to activate the drive mechanism in asafe and secure manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a narrow profilecontrol module for a window shade to minimize light from outside thewindow infiltrating the room.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an aspect of this invention to provide a control module for awindow shade for a window opening comprising; a driven gear disposedbetween the window shade and an edge of the window opening so as todefine a gap there between; a drive gear located outside the gap andengageable with said window shade for rotatably driving the driven gearso as to raise and lower said window shade relative the window opening;and a rod for driving said drive means.

In one embodiment the control module includes a housing having an endwall adjacent the inside edge of the window opening, a clutch disposedwithin said housing and engageable with the window shade, where thedriven gear is engageable with the clutch and disposed between thewindow shade and the end adjacent the edge of the window opening.

In another embodiment the housing includes a first housing portion forreceiving the driven gear and a second housing portion communicatingwith the first housing portion, the second housing portion receiving thedrive gear. In Another embodiment the housing includes a shell plate forcovering the driven gear in said first chamber and for covering thedrive gear in the second chamber and constrain the drive gear and drivengear against binding.

In another embodiment the second housing portion is axially spaced fromthe clutch axis.

In a further embodiment the driven gear comprises a spur gear disposedat the one end of the clutch between the end wall and the one end of theshade so as to define a narrow gap between the one end of said shade andthe inside edge of said window opening. The thickness of said spur gearalong said clutch axis in one example is between 5 to 8 millimeters.

Other embodiments include at least one intermediate gear between thespur gear and the drive gear. Also the drive gear can be either a wormwheel or bevel gear.

In yet another embodiment the clutch includes selectively engageablebraking structure for preventing the shade from unrolling when thedriven gear is idle.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a narrow profilecontrol module for a window shade roll comprising; a housing disposed atone end of said window shade roll, said housing having a control endwall and a first cavity and a second cavity, said first cavitycommunicating with said second cavity; a spur gear disposed in saidfirst cavity between said control end wall and one end of said windowshade roll, and defining a gap between said one end of the window shadeand window opening; a clutch projecting from said spur gear into saidwindow shade roll, said spur gear rotatably engageable with said clutchabout a clutch axis for raising and lowering said window shade relativethe window opening; a drive gear disposed in the second cavity away fromthe clutch axis so as to not interfere with the gap; the drive gearengageable with the spur gear for rotatably driving the clutch about theclutch axis for raising and lowering the window shade; a rod connectedto the drive gear for rotatably driving the spur gear.

In one embodiment the driven gear between said end wall and the one endof the blind is between 5 and 8 millimeters.

In another embodiment of the invention the drive gear is a worm gearengageable with the spur gear. The invention also includes at least oneintermediate gear between the spur gear and the drive gear. The drivegear can also be either a worm gear or bevel gear.

In a further embodiment the housing includes a cover plate to cover thefirst cavity and the second cavity and the one end of the shade contactsthe cover plate in the first cavity to define the gap between the coverpate covering the first cavity and the end wall.

Another embodiment includes a wand having one end connected to the drivegear and a handle at another end for manually rotating the wand anddrive gear.

Furthermore in yet another embodiment the wand includes a shaft definingspiral grooves and a hand portion coaxially receiving the shaft forreciprocal movement of the hand portion relative the shaft to rotate thewand in a selected first or second direction. The hand portion includesa slideable selector for selecting the direction of rotation of saiddrive gear means.

It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a control module fora window shade for a window opening comprising; a housing disposed atone end of said window shade and said window opening to define a gapthere between; a first and second cavity presented by said housing, saidsecond cavity communicating with said first cavity and radially disposedbeyond said first cavity; a driven gear disposed within said firstcavity; drive structure located within said second cavity and engageablewith said driven gear for rotatably driving the driven gear so as toraise and lower said window shade relative the opening; and a rod fordriving said drive means.

In one embodiment the housing has an end wall adjacent an inside edge ofthe window opening, a clutch projecting from said housing and engageablewith said window shade, said driven gear engageable with or connected tosaid clutch and disposed between said window shade and said end walladjacent said edge of the window opening. Furthermore the drivestructure comprises a drive gear disposed in said second cavity adjacentsaid end wall and engageable with said driven gear for rotatably drivingsaid clutch and shade about a clutch axis for raising and lowering saidshade relative said window opening, said drive structure and driven geardisposed in a region within said gap.

In yet another embodiment the housing includes a first housing portiondefining said first cavity for receiving said driven gear and a secondhousing portion defining said second cavity portion for communicatingwith said first housing portion, said second housing portion receivingsaid drive gear structure. A further embodiment provides that said firstand second housing portion is radially spaced from said clutch axis. Ashell plate for covering said driven gear in said first chamber and forcovering said drive gear structure in said second chamber and constrainsaid drive gear structure and driven gear against binding can beprovided. In yet another embodiment said first and second housingportion is coaxially spaced from said clutch axis.

In another embodiment the driven gear comprises a spur gear disposed atsaid one end of said clutch between said end wall and said one end ofsaid shade and disposed in said gap between said one end of said shadeand said edge of said window; and the drive gear structure is a wormgear. Moreover in yet another embodiment the second cavity has a firstand second opening communicating with said first cavity whereby saidworm gear is selectively disposed adjacent said first or second openingfor engaging with said spur gear in said first cavity so as to present acontrol module for either said right side or left side of said windowblind respectively. Also the clutch may include selectively engageablebraking structure for preventing said shade from unrolling when saiddriven gear is idle.

In yet another embodiment a narrow profile control module for a windowshade roll for a window opening is provided that comprises; a housingdisposed at one end of said window shade roll, said housing associatedwith a control end wall and a first cavity portion and a second cavityportion, said first cavity portion communicating with said second cavityportion; a spur gear disposed in said first cavity portion between saidcontrol end wall and one end of said window shade roll, and defining agap between said one end of said window shade and window opening; aclutch projecting from said spur gear into said window shade roll, saidspur gear rotatably engageable with said clutch about a clutch axis forraising and lowering said window shade relative the window opening;drive gear structure disposed in said second cavity portion, said drivegear structure engageable with said spur gear for rotatably driving saidclutch about said clutch axis for raising and lowering said windowshade; and a rod connected to said drive gear for rotatably driving saidspur gear.

In one embodiment said gap is between 5 and 8 millimeters; but otherthicknesses may be used. Furthermore the drive gear structure includes aworm gear engageable with said spur gear. The drive gear disposed in thesecond cavity.

In one example the second cavity portion is radially disposed beyondsaid first cavity portion.

In yet another embodiment the housing includes a cover plate to coversaid first cavity and said second cavity and said one end of said shadecontacts said cover plate to define said gap between said cover platecovering said first and second cavity portions and said end wall.

In one example a wand includes one end connected to said drive gearstructure and a handle at another end for manually rotating said wand,worm gear and spur gear.

Moreover in another embodiment the wand includes a shaft defining spiralgrooves and hand portion coaxially receiving said shaft for reciprocalmovement of said hand portion relative said shaft to rotate said wand ina selected first or second direction. The hand portion includes aslideable selector for selecting the direction of rotation of said drivegear structure.

A further aspect of this invention provides a wand for engaging acontrol module for a window shade for a window opening comprising: a rodextending along a longitudinal length thereof to present a longitudinalaxis with opposite ends; one end presenting engagement means forengaging the control module for moving said window shade relative thewindow opening; motor means axially disposed at the other end of saidrod for selectively rotating said rod about said axis in one directionand raising said window blind relative said window opening and rotatingsaid rod about said axis in the opposite direction for lowering saidwindow blind relative said window opening.

Another aspect of the wand provides for wand for engaging a controlmodule for a window shade for a window opening comprising: a shaftextending along a longitudinal length thereof and presenting a pair ofspiral grooves along a longitudinal axis thereof with opposite ends; oneend presenting engagement means for engaging the control module formoving said window shade relative the window opening; a hand pumpingportion coaxially receiving said shaft and engageable with said pair ofspiral grooves for reciprocal movement of said hand portion relativesaid shaft between a first position and a second position to rotate saidshaft and wand in a selected first direction to raise said window blindrelative said window opening and rotate said shaft and wand in anopposite direction to lower said window blind relative said windowopening, respectively.

These and other objects and features of the invention will; be describedin relation to the following drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the narrow profile control module for awindow shade.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the narrow profile control modulefor a window shade.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the narrow profile control module fora window shade.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the control module.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are partial perspective views of the interiorcavities of the first and second cavities at various stages of assembly.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the narrow profile controlmodule for a window shade and wand.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are further perspective views of the interior of thehousing of the narrow profile control module for a window shade andwand.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G, and 8H are various views of anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E are side views of another embodiment of therod or wand.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 100 are a view of the wand having helical grooves.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 110, 11D and 11E are a front elevation view with theshade lowered, a rear elevation view with the shade lowered, crosssectional view with the shade lowered and a front elevation view withthe shade raised, and a perspective view of the narrow profile controlmodule, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the inventionwhere the blind has a narrow profile with gears between the window blindand window with worm wheel on right side

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of FIG. 12 narrow profile with gears betweenthe window and window blind similar to FIG. 12 except with worm wheel onleft side;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, are a top plan view, cross sectional view, and sideelevation view of FIGS. 12 and 13 with the control module on the righthand side of the blind.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, are a top plan view, cross sectional view, and sideelevation view of FIGS. 12 and 13 with the control module on the lefthand side of the blind.

FIGS. 16A, 16B and 16C are a top plan view, cross sectional view of thecontrol module of FIGS. 12 and 13 with the cover on, and a front view.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D are views of another embodiment of theinvention where the wand can be driven by a drive motor at a lower endthereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Like parts are given like numbers throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a blind control 10 for a window coveringhaving a narrow profile. In particular the blind control 10 relates to acontrol module 12 for a window shade 11 adapted to fit within an opening14. The opening 14 can be an opening for a window that is comprised ofdrywall that has an inside edge 17 defining the opening; or in anotherembodiment the opening may be defined by a window frame comprised ofwood or the like adjacent the window opening 14 where the window framehas an inside edge 17.

The control module 12 includes a driven gear 18 disposed between thewindow shade 11 (FIG. 110 ) and inside edge 17 of opening 14 or windowframe 16 so as to define a gap 15 between the window shade 11 and edge17; drive gears 20 a and 20 b located outside the gap 15 and engageablewith said window shade roll 13 for rotatably driving the driven gear 18so as to raise and lower said window shade 11; and a rod 90 for drivingsaid drive gears 20 a and 20 b.

The control module 12 includes a housing 40 having a control end 17(FIG. 11D) and opposite pin end 19 (FIG. 11D). The control end 17 hasthe control elements and includes an end wall 41 (FIG. 1 ) adapted to bedisposed adjacent said edge 17 of the window opening 14 as seen in FIGS.4, 11A, 11B, 110 and 11D. In particular the end of the shade 11, namelyone end 21 of the shade roll 13 is preferably as close to the insideedge 17 of the window opening 14 to minimize the gap 15 and block out asmuch of the light from the outside as possible. A clutch 50 is disposedwithin the housing 40 and is engageable with the shade roll 13 of windowshade 11 in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. Inparticular the clutch 50 is axially rotatable about shaft 9. Two springs11 a and 11 b are coaxially aligned with shaft 90. The shaft 90 andsprings 11 a and 11 b are received within the clutch 50. The ends 13 aand 13 b of the springs 11 a and 11 b have projections that engage theopenings 50 a and 50 b of the clutch 50 so as to prevent the clutch fromunravelling in a manner well known to persons skilled in the art.

FIG. 110 shows there is another space 6 between another end of the roll13 and an opposite edge of window opening 14 which approximatelycomprises the thickness of the end wall 43 of the pin end 19, since theother end of the shade roll contacts or is very close to the end wall43. The space 6 is generally smaller than the gap 15, and the inventionherein relates to the gap 15 at the control module end 7 of controlmodule 12.

The driven gear 18 is engageable with the clutch 50. In particular thedriven gear 18 includes projections 18 a and 18 b that are receivedthrough the hole 64 into the clutch 50. The clutch 50 is axiallydisposed between the window shade 11 and said end wall 41. The drivengear 18 rotatably drives said clutch 50 and shade 11 about a clutch axisfor raising and lowering said shade 11 relative said window opening 14.

The drive means or gears 20 a and 20 b are located in a region away fromthe gap 15 so as to minimize the gap 15 or distance between one end 21the shade 11 and edge 17 of window opening 14, or in particular thedrive gears 20 a and 20 b are located away from the axis of clutchrotation so as not to interfere with the rotating clutch 50 or shaderoll 13. In one embodiment the drive gears 20 a, and 20 b are radiallyspaced away from the clutch axis of rotation. In other words the drivegears 20 a and 20 b overlie the clutch 50 and shade roll 13 so as not toadd any measurement to the gap 15.

The housing 40 includes a first housing portion 42 for receiving saiddriven gear 18 and a second housing portion 44 communicating with saidfirst housing portion 42, the second housing portion 44 for receivingsaid drive gear means 20 a and 20 b.

In one embodiment the thickness of the driven gear 18 is between 5 to 8millimeters thick. However this is given by way of example and otherthicknesses can be used within the scope of this invention.

In order to constrain the relatively thin thickness of the drive gear 18a shell plate 60 is used to cover the driven gear 18 in the firstchamber 42 and for covering the drive gear 20 a and 20 b in the secondchamber 44 and constrain said driven gear means 18 and drive gear means20 a and 20 b against flexing and binding.

The first and second chambers 42 and 44 define a chamber, where thefirst chamber 42 includes a first chamber wall 47 and the second chamber44 includes a second chamber wall 49, again in order to constrain thedrive gear 18 and driven gears 20 a and 20 b against flexing andbinding, in addition to the shell plate 60.

The shell plate 60 is seen in FIG. 1 and comprises a first shell plateportion 62 having a hole 64 to receive the clutch 50 there through and asecond shell plate portion 66. The shell plate 60 has an offsetconnecting surface 68 connecting the first shell cover portion 62 andthe second shell cover portion 66. The offset connecting surface 68 oroffset or distance between the first shell plate portion 62 and secondshell plate portion 66 provides a means of locating the drive gears 20 aand 20 b away from the gap 15 to minimize the gap 15.

More particularly the drive gear 20 comprises a gear 21 connected topinion gear 23 as best seen in FIG. 5C. The drive gear 20 also includesa worm wheel 25 coaxially connected to drive shaft 27. The gear 21rotationally drives intermediate gears 29 a and 29 b which in turnrotationally drive the drive wheel 18.

A drive gear cage 70 is disposed in the second chamber 44. The cage orshell 70 lies flat against the gear 21 as shown in FIG. 5B. The cage 70includes a hole 72 for receiving spur gear 23 for rotation therein. Theshaft 27 of the spur gear 25 includes two spaced annual recesses 25 aand 25 b which are adapted to receive retaining clips 31 a and 31 b(FIG. 6A) respectively. The drive gear cage or shell 70 has openings 73a and 73 b (FIGS. 5C, 6A) which are adapted to receive retaining clips31 a and 31 b respectively that engage with annual recesses 25 a and 25b as discussed so as to contain, constrain and retain the drive gearmeans 20 in a small compartment to rigidify a reduced thickness of thedrive so as to minimize the gap 15.

The shell cover 60 includes fastening holes 61 a, 61 b, and 61 c adaptedto receive fastens such as screws to tighten the shell or cage cover 60to the housing 40 and further rigidify the control module 12 againstbinding.

The drive gear cage 70 is offset away from the plane of the driven gear18 and gear 21 in a direction away from the end wall 42 and thus awayfrom the gap 15. In other words the spur gear 23 and worm wheel 25 donot contribute to gap dimension thus providing a narrow profile controlmodule as described.

In one embodiment the driven gear 18 comprises a spur gear 18 disposedat said one end 51 of said clutch 50 between said end wall 41 and saidone end of said shade so as to define a narrow gap 15 between said oneend of said shade and said frame 16 of said window.

In another embodiment the control module 12 comprises at least oneintermediate gear 29 a or 29 b between said spur gear 18 and said drivegear means 20. The drive gear means 20 in one example is a worm wheel.

The clutch 50 includes selectively engageable braking means forpreventing said shade from unrolling when said driven gear or spur gear18 is idle and includes springs 11 a and 11 b. The clutch braking meansis well known to those persons skilled in the art and will not bedescribed herein.

The invention described herein relates to a narrow profile controlmodule 12 for a window shade roll 13 comprising; a housing 40 disposedat one end of said window shade roll 13, said housing 40 having acontrol end wall 41 and a first cavity 42 and a second cavity 44, thefirst cavity 42 communicating with said second cavity 44; a spur gear 18disposed in said first cavity 42 between said end wall 41 and one end ofsaid window shade roll 13, and defining a gap 15 between one end of saidwindow shade 13 and said edge 17 of the opening 14; a clutch 50projecting from said spur gear 18 into said window shade roll 13, saidspur gear 18 rotatably engageable with said clutch 50 about a clutchaxis for raising and lowering said window shade 11; a drive gear means20 disposed in said second cavity 44 away clutch axis so as to notinterfere with said gap 15 adjacent said end wall 41, said drive gearmeans 20 engageable with said spur gear 18 for rotatably driving saidclutch 50 about said clutch axis for rotatably driving the clutch aboutthe clutch axis for raising and lowering the window shade 11; a rod 90connected to the drive gear for rotatably driving the spur gear.

In one embodiment the gap is defined as the space between the insideedge 17 of the window opening 14 or frame 16 and one end 21 of thewindow shade 11 or roll 13.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G, and 8H are various views of anotherembodiment of the invention where the drive means 20 a and 20 b is abevel gear 80 a and 80 b. The end of the rod 90 also has a bevel gear 80b.

FIGS. 2, 3, 6A and 6B show that the rod 90 has a handle 92 that can beused to manually rotate the drive shaft 27 to rotate the drive means 20.The rod or wand 90 also includes a hollow sleeve 94 that can be graspedin one hand while the other hand manually rotates the rod 90 by handle92.

Alternatively FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are side views of anotherembodiment of the rod or wand 90. In this case the sleeve 94 is longerthan in FIG. 1 and can be moved axially upward or downward so thatintermediate horizontal piece 95 and vertical piece 96 are exposed andarticulated 90 degrees relative to one another. The drive means 20 canbe manually driven in this fashion. Alternatively the sleeve 94 is moveddownwardly to cover articulated joints 98 and 99. Once the articulatedjoints 98 and 99 are covered by sleeve 94 a motor drive (not shown) canengage a socket adapter 97 and rotatably drive the rod 90. The sleeve 94is long enough to cover the articulated joints 98 and 99 so that the roddoes not become twisted when rotated by the motor drive.

The sleeve 94 has an upper end that has a shoulder 110 which engages aconnecting piece 112 when in the lower position as shown in FIG. 9A. Thebottom end 114 is tapered so as to self-align as the sleeve 94 movesfrom the upper position shown in FIG. 9E to the lower position shown inFIG. 9A.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 100 illustrate a rod or wand 90 which includes afirst shaft 99 defining spiral grooves 100 a and 100 b and hand pumpingportion 102 coaxially receiving said first shaft 99 for reciprocalmovement of said hand portion 102 relative said first shaft 99 to rotatesaid shaft 99 and wand in a selected first or clockwise rotation orsecond or counter clockwise direction. The hand portion includes aslideable selector 104 for selecting the direction of rotation of saiddrive gear means 20.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 100 also illustrate a hand grasping portion 120 whichcan be grasped by an individual grasping the hand pumping portion 102 byanother hand and reciprocately pumps the hand pumping portion 102 up anddown in a reciprocating fashion between a first reciprocating positionand a second reciprocating position so as to rotate the first shaft 99.

The hand grasping portion 120 is hollow and includes two projections 122which engage an annular groove 124 as shown; so as to permit rotation ofthe first shaft 99 relative the hand grasping portion 120.

Furthermore, FIG. 1 illustrates that the controls (driven and drivergears) are housed in the housing 40 while the other opposite endincludes a pin end 19. The interior surface of the pin end 19 includes apost which receives a revolving pin 5 as best seen in FIG. 11C whichcoaxially receives the other end 43 of the shade roll 13 for rotation ofa clutch axis and shade roll axis.

FIG. 1 also shows an exploded view of a cassette 130 which can becomprised of aluminum or plastic or the like and includes a plurality ofextensions or rails that are adapted to engage (not shown) forattachment adjacent a window opening 14. The brackets 132 allow a userto fasten the bracket (not shown) to adjacent the window opening 14first and thereafter snap the cassette 130 in place for easyinstallation.

The arrangements shown in FIG. 1 can be reversed so that the control end7 is located on the opposite end depending on which side of the windowcassette the user desires to place the wand 90. The control end 7 shownin FIG. 1 consists of a right control cap while the opposite pin end 19comprises a left end cap. However these can be reversed.

The left side of the cassette 130 of FIG. 2 presents the pin end capwhile the right side of FIG. 2 presents the right control cap.

The cassette 130 covers the internal mechanism of the control elements.

FIGS. 12-17D illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention wherethe blind has a narrow profile with gears between the window blind orshade 11 and a window opening 14 as previously discussed.

In particular FIGS. 12-17D show the control module 12 for a window shade11 for a window opening 14 which comprises a housing 40 having an end 39and the blind has an opposite pin end 19 as previously described inrelation to FIG. 11D. The housing 40 includes a first housing portion 42for receiving a driven gear 18 and a second housing portion 44communicating with the first housing portion 42 where the second housingportion 44 receives the drive gear 25. The housing 40 is disposed at oneend of the window shade 11 and the window opening 14 to define a gap 15there between as previously described. The first housing portion 42defines a first cavity or first cavity portion 42 and the second housingportion 44 defines a second cavity or second cavity portion 44.

The second cavity 44 communicates with the first cavity 42 and isradially disposed beyond the first cavity 42. A driven gear 18 isdisposed in the first cavity 42. A drive gear 25 is located within thesecond cavity 42 and is engageable with the driven gear 18 for rotatablydriving the driven gear 18 so as to raise and lower the window shade 11relative to the opening 14. The first cavity 42 and second cavity 44have a common aperture or communication path 43 c for the drive gear 25to engage or mesh with the driven gear 18. Furthermore a rod as shown ineither FIGS. 9A-9E or as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C may be used aspreviously described.

In another embodiment the control module 12 illustrates a housing 40having an end wall 39 adjacent to the inside edge of the window opening14, a clutch 50 projecting from the housing 40 and engageable with thewindow shade 11 to define gap 15 a.

In another embodiment a mounting plate 43 can be used to engage the end39 of the housing 40. The mounting plate 43 includes an alignment pin 37to axially mount and engage the plate 43 with the clutch assembly 50 asshown in FIG. 13 . The mounting plate 43 presents an end wall 41 forcontact with the edge 17 of the window opening 14 to define gap 15 b.

The housing 40 generally includes an end or bottom wall or surface 39,and upstanding side wall 37. The housing 40 also includes a cavityhaving spaced circular cavity walls 47 connected at the ends thereof tospaced generally straight cavity walls 45 to define the first cavityportion 42 and second cavity portion 44, namely portions 44 a and 44 b.The region between spaced generally straight cavity walls 45 includeapertures 23 a, and 23 b, that are adapted to engage with annularrecesses 25 a, and 25 b, presented by the shaft of the worm wheel 25.

The driven gear 18 is either engageable with the clutch 50 or disposedat one end of the clutch 50 as shown; and disposed between the windowshade and the end wall 41 adjacent with the edge 17 of the windowopening 14.

In one embodiment the drive means 25 comprises a drive gear disposed inthe second cavity 44 adjacent the end wall 39 and engageable with thedriven gear 18 for rotatably driving the clutch 50 and shade 11 about aclutch axis 51 for raising and lowering the shade 11 relative to thewindow opening 14. The drive means 25 and driven means 18 are disposedin a region within the gap 15. The drive gear 25 and driven gear 18 aregenerally disposed in a common plane (occupying the gap region 15)disposed generally perpendicular to the clutch axis 51.

The control module 12 also includes a shell plate 66 for covering thedriven gear 18 in the first cavity portion 42 and for covering the drivegear means 25 in the second cavity portion 44 and constrain the drivegear means 25 and driven gear 18 against binding. The covering 66 inFIGS. 12-15 is generally flat.

The first cavity portion 42 and second cavity portion 44 are radiallyspaced along the clutch axis.

In one embodiment the driven gear 18 comprises a spur gear 18 disposedat one end of the clutch 50 between the end wall 41 and one end of theshade 11 and disposed in the gap 15 (15 a, 15 b) between the one end ofthe shade 11 and the edge 17 of the window. In one embodiment thethickness of the spur gear 18 along the clutch axis is between 5 to 8millimeters by way of example; although other dimensions can be used.

In one embodiment the drive gear 25 comprises a worm gear as shown inthe figures.

In a further embodiment the control module 12 has a second cavity 44 (44a, 44 b) which has a first and second opening 43 a and 43 bcommunicating with the second cavity 44 whereby the worm gear 25 isselectively disposed adjacent the first opening 43 a or second 43 bopening for engaging with the spur gear 18 in the first cavity 42 so asto present a control module 12 for either the right side or left side ofthe window blind respectively as shown in FIGS. 14A-14C or FIGS.15A-15C, respectively.

As previously discussed the clutch 50 can include selectively engageablebraking means 11 a for preventing the shade 11 from unrolling when thedriven gear 18 is idle; or as discussed below the braking means may beeliminated as discussed below.

In an embodiment described herein the gear ratio between the worm gearor wheel can be selected at 8:1, 9:1, or 4:1 by way of example. In otherwords the ratio can be selected so one rotation or the worm gear 25 willrotate 2 teeth of the spur gear. Therefore with a ratio of 8:1, 8 fullrotations (i.e. 360 degrees) of the worm gear 25 (and the wand) willrotate the spur gear 18 once.

Furthermore by making the gap 15 (and size of the worm wheel 25 anddrive gear 18 smaller to fit within the gap 15, 15 a or 15 b) more turnsof the worm gear 25 and wand will be required. The wider or thicker theworm gear 25 and spur gear 18 the less turns are required and the moreinertia is created (due to the larger size of the worm wheel 25 and spurgear 18) so that the braking springs 11 a may not be required, dependingon the length of the window blind roll 11. For larger widths of windowblind rolls it is prudent to use the braking means 11 a and 11 b due tothe increased weight of the blind roll.

Furthermore the wand shown in FIGS. 10A-10C can be selected so that onereciprocal stroke (the hand control 102 being moved from an upperposition to a lower position will cause the wand to rotate 4 and a halfturns. In some of the prior art cranks as for example in Canadian Patent2353114 the crank will have to be rotated 20 turns to move the windowblind in approximately the same vertical length as it takes for onestroke of the wand shown in FIG. 10A to 10C or 4 and a half turns forthe hand crank shown in FIGS. 9A-9E when used in the embodiments shownherein.

In one embodiment the bevel gear ratio shown in FIG. 8D can be selectedat 4:1 so 4 turns of bevel gear 80B will turn bevel gear 80 a in onefull revolution. Other ratios can be selected; although in oneembodiment of the invention it is desirable to keep select the sizes togenerate a low gear ration so as not to tire a person using the wands inthe event the person needs to turn the crank many many times to raise orlower the window blind 11.

Finally the invention as described in the embodiment shown in FIGS.12-15 relates to a narrow profile control module 12 for a window shaderoll for a window opening 14 which comprises:

-   -   (a) a housing 40 disposed at one end of the window shade roll        11, the housing 40 having or engaging a control end wall 39 or        41 respectively and a first cavity 42 and a second cavity 44, 44        a or 44 b where the first cavity 42 communicates with the second        cavity 44;    -   (b) a spur gear 18 disposed in the first cavity 42 between the        control end wall 41 and one end of the window shade roll 11 and        defining a gap 15 between the one end of the window shade 11 and        the window opening;    -   (c) a clutch 50 projecting from the spur gear 18 into the window        shade roll 11, the spur gear 18 rotatably engageable with the        clutch 50 about a clutch axis for raising and lowering said        window shade 11 relative to the window opening 14;    -   (d) a drive gear means 25 disposed in a second cavity 44, the        drive gear means 25 engageable with the spur gear 18 for        rotatably driving the clutch 50 about the clutch axis for        raising and lowering said window shade 11; and    -   (e) a rod connected to the drive gear 25 for rotatably driving        the spur gear 18.

Furthermore the housing 40 includes a cover plate 66 to cover the firstcavity 42 and the second cavity 44 and where said one end of the shade11 contacts the cover plate 66 to define the gap 15 between the coverplate 66 covering the first and second cavities 42 and 44 and the endwall 41.

The clutch 50 includes cover 66 a.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-17D can operate with the previouslydescribed wand which includes one end connected to the drive gear means25 and a handle at another end for manually rotating the wand and thespur gear 18.

A further embodiment of the wand is shown in FIG. 17A. The wand cancomprise of a one piece rod 90 with a drive motor 67 at a lower end ofthe rod 90. The drive motor 67 can have a battery. Alternatively thedrive motor 67 can be removeably detachable from rod 90 in which casethe drive motor 67 has a connection to the rod 90 such as a femalesocket 93 that engages a male extension 91 located at the lower end ofthe rod 90. The drive motor 67 includes a push button 65 that can beactivated to rotate the rod 90 in one direction so as to move the blind11 in one direction ie up; or to push the push button 65 in anotherdirection to rotate the rod 90 in an opposite direction so as to movethe blind or shade 11 in another direction ie down. Alternatively thedrive motor 67 and rod 90 can be made as a single piece. Furthermore inyet another embodiment the drive motor can be activated by a remote (notshown)

Furthermore the motor drive 67 can also be used in combination with thearticulated wand 90 shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B., 9C and 9D; ie when the rodor wand 90 is in the straight configuration shown such that the motordrive 67 can axially engage the lower end 97 and raise or lower theblind or shade 11.

The other end of the wand or rod 90 includes an engagement means 33. Inone embodiment the engagement means 33 can comprise a hook 33 a as shownin FIG. 17B or spaced fingers 33 b to engage with the lower portion 35of worm gear 25 as shown in FIGS. 17C and 17 d.

More particularly FIG. 17C illustrates that the lower portion 35 of wormgear 25 can comprise an “◯” shaped receiver for selective engagement ofthe upper portion 33 of wand or rod 90. FIG. 17 c shows that a portionof the “◯’ shaped receiver is narrowed or restricted at 35 such that thespacing between fingers 33 b is slightly larger than the restriction 35a so as to snap into place.

The motor drive 67 is appealing where there are multiple window blinds11 in a room that need to be raised or lowered relative the window, soas to minimize human effort. In other words the wand with the motordrive 67 can be easily moved from on window to another.

Another embodiment of the wand as previously described includes a shaftdefining spiral grooves 100A and 1008 and a hand portion co-axiallyreceiving the shaft 99 for reciprocal movement of the hand portionrelative to the shaft 99 to rotate the wand in a selected first orsecond direction. The hand portion 102 includes a slideable selector 104for selecting the direction of rotation of the drive gear means 25.

In another embodiment the wand 90 as shown in FIG. 10A to 100 can beadapted such that the lower end present the male end 91 as described inrelation to FIG. 17A-17D and the drive motor 67 used to rotate the rod90 with one hand while grasping the drive motor 67 with the other handto rotate shaft 99 relative hand portion 102 to rotate the shaft 90 toraise and lower the blind or shade 11.

Moreover the various embodiments of the wand 90 can be used on windowcovers mounted outside of a building. In other words the inventiondescribed herein is applicable both inside and outside of a buildinghaving an opening. For example there are opening covers (comprised ofvinyl, metal, such as aluminum or the like, and even wood) for outsidethe windows or even doors and the like that are used in Europe.

What is claimed is:
 1. A window blind wand comprising: (a) a rod thatextends along a longitudinal length thereof to present a longitudinalaxis with a first and second end; (b) said first end presentingengagement means for engaging a control module for moving a windowblind; (c) a motor axially engageable at the second end of said rod forselectively rotating said rod about said axis in one direction andraising said window blind and rotating said rod about said axis in anopposite direction for lowering said window blind.
 2. The window blindwand as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motor comprises one of a maleextension or female socket while said second end of said rod comprisesthe other of said one of a male extension or female socket.
 3. Thewindow blind wand as claimed in claim 1 wherein said engagement meanscomprises a hook at said first end for engagement with said controlmodule.
 4. The window blind wand as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidengagement means comprises a pair of fingers defining a space betweensaid fingers for engagement with said control module.
 5. The windowblind wand as claimed in claim 4 wherein said control module comprisesan “◯’ shaped receiver for engagement with said pair of fingers.
 6. Thewindow blind wand as claimed in claim 5 wherein said “◯” shaped receiverpresents a restriction in cross section which is smaller than the spacebetween said pair of spaced fingers so that said fingers snap intoposition with said ‘◯’ shaped receiver.
 7. The window blind wand asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said motor and rod are detachable.
 8. Thewindow blind wand as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motor and rod aredetachable.
 9. The window blind wand as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidmotor and rod are one piece.
 10. The window blind wand as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said motor has a switch to selectively rotate said rodabout said axis in one direction and raising said window blind androtating said rod about said axis in an opposite direction for loweringsaid window blind.
 11. The window blind rod as claimed in claim 10wherein said switch is activated manually or remotely.
 12. The windowblind rod as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rod includes a pair ofspiral grooves or projections, and a collar.
 13. The window blind rod asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said motor has a battery.
 14. A method ofmoving a window blind, comprising: (a) providing a rod extending along alongitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; (b) attachingthe first end to a control module of a window blind; (c) attaching amotor to said second end to selectively rotate said rod about said axisin one direction and raising said window blind and rotating said rodabout said axis in an opposite direction for lowering said window blind.15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said rod comprises a pairof helical grooves or projections and a collar and comprises; graspingsaid collar with one hand and activating said motor with another hand.16. A electrical motor engageable with a control module for a windowblind comprising; said electrical motor having one end engageable withsaid control module to rotate in one direction and raise said windowblind and rotate in another direction to lower said window blind. 17.The electrical motor as claimed in claim 16 including engagement meansfor engaging said control module for moving a window blind;
 18. Theelectrical motor as claimed in claim 17 wherein said electrical motorcomprises one of a male extension or female socket while said controlmodule comprises the other of said one of a male extension or femalesocket.
 19. The electrical motor as claimed in claim 18 including a rodextending between sais electrical motor and said control module.
 20. Theelectrical motor as claimed in claim 19 wherein said electrical motorand rod are one piece.